Head Start and Early Head Start
The Head Start programs prepare children for kindergarten and parents to be lifelong teachers and mentors. They also offer free education, health, nutrition and family services for expectant parents and children up to age five.
Head Start and Early Head Start programs are available to eligible children and their families. We work in partnership with families to build children’s and parents’ strength, promote self-esteem and encourage self-sufficiency and lifelong learning.
Giving you and your child the tools to succeed!
Head Start is a child and family development program. It is a comprehensive program that provides eligible children three to five years of age and their families with high-quality services in safe and healthy settings that prepare children for school and life. The program supports parents in many aspects.
Early Learning and Development
- Building strong relationships as the foundational driver for early learning
- Engaging families in their child’s learning and recognizing parents as a child’s first and most influential teacher
- Implementing effective practices to promote children’s growth in five key domains: approaches to learning, social and emotional development, language and literacy, cognition, and physical development
- Encouraging learning through play, creative expression, and guided activities with schedules and lesson plans that include the cultural and language heritage of each child and family in relevant ways
- Creating welcoming learning environments in indoor and outdoor settings that are well-organized and safe
- Conducting ongoing screenings and assessments to ensure each child is making progress, and collaborating with parents and community agencies when further assessment is needed
- Supporting the full inclusion of children with disabilities and building on their strengths
Health and Wellness
- Engaging all children in both indoor and outdoor physical activity
- Serving breakfast, lunch, and snacks that are healthy and nutritious
- Ensuring children receive medical, dental, hearing, vision, and behavioral screening
- Making sure children brush their teeth after meals and promoting oral health and hygiene
- Helping families understand and support their child’s health and behavioral health needs
- Assisting with mental health services for children and families, as needed
- Building resilience to help children and families heal from traumatic experiences or events and overwhelming situations
Family Well-being
- Providing parenting support and strategies
- Supporting parental health and links to community services during pregnancy
- Connecting families to community and federal assistance
- Assisting families in identifying and reaching their goals and dreams, including those related to finances and economic mobility, housing, employment, and education
- Providing a career pathway in early care and education — about 25% of program staff are former Head Start parents!
Family Engagement
- Inviting parents to share information and insights about their child
- Celebrating the role of fathers and male caregivers through father engagement
- Engaging parents as their child’s lifelong advocate
- Welcoming parents to offer ways to improve children and families’ experiences in the program, including through leadership roles on the Policy Council
- Supporting child and family transitions when the child is ready for the next step, to Head Start, kindergarten, or another early childhood program
- The program can be accomplished through home visits, classroom time or a combination of both. This program is available in Bedford and Fulton counties.
Our Head Start program partners with local school districts in Bedford County.
Early Head Start is a comprehensive home-based program that offers many of the same services as listed above under Head Start. The program supports the parent’s role as their infant and toddler’s most important teacher. Parents will receive support from a home visitor who will help you establish a loving relationship with your child and become more confident about parenting. The program is tailored for the unique needs of infants and toddlers, promoting the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. This prepares the children for continued growth and development and eventual success in school and life. This program is available in Bedford County.
Eligible families with children ages birth to three have an opportunity to enroll in the Early Head Start program to;
- Increase parent knowledge of early childhood development
- Improve parenting practices
- Receive child screenings and assessments that detect any developmental delays and health issues
- Increase children’s school readiness and school success
- Receive pre-natal support and education
- Participate in parent/child playgroups
Locations and Contact Information
Head Start/Early Head Start
231 South Juliana Street
Bedford, PA 15522
Phone: 1-814-624-3200
Fax: 1-814-623-8676
Office Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Learn & Grow With Us!
